Oysterband - Extend "A Long Long Goodbye" Tour This Autumn With New Dates

Emerging in the early 80s from their folk club and ceilidh band days, Oysterband infused both the traditional and their own songs with a passion and energy that was electrifying. Polkas, politics and a heaving dance floor seemed just right for Thatcher’s Britain. Signing to new roots label Cooking Vinyl, headlining English Roots Against Apartheid, playing Glastonbury and the Fleadh several times each, touring with The Pogues in Europe and Billy Bragg in North America, hosting their Big Session Festival in The Midlands. All gained them a large and loyal following both at home and internationally.

The band has extended their "A Long Long Goodbye" tour with autumn headline shows, visiting old haunts across England for the last time.

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While recognised as one of the UK’s foremost folk-rock bands and an unparalleled live proposition, the band confirm the decision they made recently to call time on their touring career.

Intending to bow out on a high, Oysterband will serve up a resolute reminder of their captivating live performances and immortal songbook as they chart a special Autumn tour around some of their favourite UK towns and venues that have supported them all these years.

Kicking off in Shrewsbury on 4th November, the 20-date run will see the band travelling the length and breadth of England, from Bodmin to Bruton, Manchester to Maidenhead and beyond. Tickets for these shows will go on sale this Friday 5 April @ 10AM.

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These new shows come in addition to Oysterband’s previously announced “A Long Long Goodbye” dates with June Tabor, in which they will be performing alongside the English folk singer who has guested on some of their greatest works, for the final time.

Speaking about their upcoming shows Oysterband say:

“The reaction to our first announcement has been far greater than we ever imagined it would be. We’re genuinely moved by people’s desire to say what the songs have meant to them."

Find the full list of the upcoming shows and tickets which will be available this Friday @ 10AM here.

Endlessly touring and writing over the course of their 45 year career, the band have played all over the world and released dozens of studio releases throughout their career, including seminal albums like ‘Holy Bandits’ (1993), ‘The Shouting End of Life’ (1995) and ‘Diamonds On The Water’ (2014), not to mention timeless compilations, and unbeatable live albums.

Collaborating with June Tabor in 1990, the meeting of minds produced the cult favourite ‘Freedom & Rain’. Reconnecting some 21 years later, the resultant album ‘Ragged Kingdom’ would become one of the best-selling folk-rock albums of the new millennium.

And Oysterband’s efforts have not gone unnoticed either. Awarded winners of several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including Best Band twice, Oysterband’s song-writing has never stood still, and hits such as “The Oxford Girl”, “When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down)”, “Everywhere I Go” and “Put Out The Lights” are now staples of the folk canon.

Most recently, Oysterband released their final studio album ‘Read The Sky’ to much acclaim in 2021 and recently undertook an extensive tour of Europe, plus a special “Decades” tour across the UK where they explored their back catalogue.

In a statement about the upcoming ‘A Long Long Goodbye’ tour, Oysterband said:

“We’re hanging up our travelling shoes, but we’re taking a year or so to say goodbye to our lovely live audience. And we mean to enjoy every minute! It’s been a long, tough, joyful journey, but the time has come. In the words of our own song “Granite Years”, we’re waving you a long, long goodbye… Come help us celebrate!"

Featuring John Jones (vox, melodeon), Ian Telfer (violin, keyboard), Alan Prosser (guitars), Sean Randle (drums, percussion), Al Scott (bass, mandolin) and Adrian Oxaal (cello, guitars); Oysterband will be going out on a high as they bid “A Long Long Goodbye” to fans and friends at these unforgettable live shows.

Listen to Oysterband's Read The Sky album below.